📰 Why Are Indians Leaving India? | 16 Lakh Gave Up Citizenship in 10 Years – Full Analysis
India is one of the world’s largest population hubs, yet the number of Indians giving up their citizenship has sharply risen in the last decade. More than 16 lakh Indians renounced Indian citizenship in the past 10 years, choosing countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe for better opportunities.
This trend reflects global mobility — but also raises questions about India’s economic and social landscape.
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Indian Citizenship Renunciation: 10-Year Overview (2015–2024)
As per MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) data:
- Total (2015–2024): 15,12,236 people
- Average per year: 1.51 lakh
- From 2011–2014, the yearly average was 1.25 lakh
- From 2015–2024, the yearly average increased to 1.60 lakh
- Overall (2011–2024), 20.9 lakh people gave up Indian citizenship
This shows a 50% jump after 2019.
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Citizenship Renunciation in the Last 5 Years (2020–2024)
Total: 8,96,843 people
Year-wise breakdown:
|
Year |
Indians Who Gave Up Citizenship |
|
2020 |
85,256 |
|
2021 |
1,63,370 |
|
2022 |
2,25,620 |
|
2023 |
2,16,219 |
|
2024 |
2,06,378 |
📌 2022 saw the highest in India’s history.
The dip in 2020 was due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
🔍 Why Are Indians Leaving India? | Key Reasons
1️⃣ Better Jobs & Higher Salaries Abroad
Countries like USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia offer:
- Higher pay
- Better work-life balance
- Strong social security
In India, job competition and lower salary packages push many to migrate.
2️⃣ Education & Family Migration
- Huge demand for STEM courses in the U.S.
- Students often stay back after studies and acquire residency
- Families follow later — leading to citizenship renunciation
3️⃣ High Quality of Life Abroad
Foreign nations offer:
- Cleaner environment
- Better healthcare
- Safer living conditions
- Stable politics
Indians prefer a more predictable lifestyle.
4️⃣ Stronger Passport Power
- Indian passport rank: 70th
- Visa required for 125+ countries
- Canadian, U.S., Australian passports offer widespread mobility
This is a key driver for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs).
5️⃣ No Dual Citizenship in India
Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, Indians cannot hold dual citizenship.
So when someone becomes a citizen of another country, they must surrender their Indian passport.
They can apply for **OCI (Overse

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